Fabregas will not be joining Arsenal or Manchester United this summer

As the summer transfer frenzy prepares to launch into full flow, one widely reported potential move appears to have been killed off pretty quickly. It had been reported that Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas was a target for both Manchester United and old club, Arsenal. It now appears however that, that this may be one of summer’s non-stories.

Sky Sports are reporting that Spanish football expert, Guillem Balague has poured a whole bucket of cold water over the speculation. Their website on Friday quotes him as saying that "The club has definitely told me this evening that they have got no intention whatsoever of selling him.” It seems a fairly definitive statement to dash the hopes of the two English clubs.

Talk was that the Old Trafford club had opened talks to bring the player back to the Premier League, and that Arsenal had asked to be kept in touch should he become available. Balague also reports however, that Fabregas himself is surprised at the speculation and that the rumours have appeared to be so strong.

Although things can always change, it now seems clear that this son of Catalunya will spend at least one further season at the Camp Nou. Next summer may be a whole new ball game however. Should the player not develop his somewhat marginalised role of last season, it is entirely possible that a deal could be struck in 2014. A stumbling block could be his contracted buy-out clause, reportedly in the region of 200million euros, or about twice what Real Madrid paid to Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo. That figure will deter any but the most ardent – and crazily wealthy – suitor.

Should the coming season be another lacklustre one for Fabregas however, that figure can be negotiated away. United and arsenal could then come back in for the deal.